Forget about the jack
Changing a wheel is one of the least enjoyable breaks in a journey. Solutions that can save us from this aspect of travel are beginning to be widely used.
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The secret of the PAX system is rubber. ring inside the tire . |
Rubber tires owe their market success to the air they contain. Thanks to him, on the one hand, the tire is so soft that it increases the comfort of movement and overcoming bumps. On the other hand, this is one of the factors that ensure constant contact with the road and directional stability. If there is no air in the tire - the end of driving. In order to move on, you must change the wheel on the road. Sometimes in the heat, sometimes in the rain or snow, sometimes at night. Systems that allow you to drive despite a punctured wheel, from which air has escaped, are slowly entering the equipment of cars. Of course, the possibilities are limited. You can drive 100-150 km on “empty” tires, so you can easily find a tire service. Punctured tires are no longer fully functional and must therefore not be driven at speeds over 80 km/h for your own safety.
The first Run Flat tires (in any translation: drive flat) were introduced in the 80s by Bridgestone. However, at that time it was an element of sports cars or cars ... for the disabled. Currently, such solutions are included in the class of luxury limousines, but not only.
Run flat tires are evolving in two directions. Michelin developed the PAX system. The specially shaped rims are wrapped inside with a thick rubber rim. If the pressure in the tire drops, its walls collapse, or rather, they fold along a special groove, and the front of the tire rests against the rubber rim. The system invented by Michelin is also offered by other tire manufacturers such as Good-yer, Pirelli and Dunlop. You can have it, for example, in the Renault Scenic or the latest Rolls Royce.
Bridgestone also offers a similar system - a tire equipped with a core with a metal rim.
The second type of Run Flat tire is not based on additional discs, but on specially reinforced sidewalls. Bridgestone makes these tires. Pirelli tires are also based on the same principle. [email protected] Reinforced sidewall tires are available on select BMW, Lexus and Mini models.
Perhaps in a few years they will be offered even to owners of small and cheap cars. This is a useful solution for both toddlers and sports cars. For several tens of liters, it allows you to increase small trunks.
